The level of violence in Jamaica continues to be a priority concern of every sector of society. The highly publicized violence, perpetrated predominantly by younger men, targets men mostly but victims include women and children. Domestic violence, the ‘hidden crime’, accounts for about half the violent deaths of women in Jamaica. Large numbers of women and children survive daily physical and/or sexual violence.

In the past few years, unprecedented numbers of killings have been recorded. In 2004 the number of violent deaths of women was nearly double the number for 2003, and during 2005-6 the numbers of murders of women and children increased yet again. Over the past ten years, approximately 10,000 men (mostly youths) have been killed in violent circumstances. This tragic loss of Jamaica's most precious resource is compounded by the thousands more who may survive violence, but are injured, maimed, and traumatized.

WMW is committed to a programme of gender-awareness training, public education and advocacy in order to reduce all forms of gender based violence, including male-on-male violence and sexual violence against women and children.